Schicksalslied, Op. 54 (Song of Destiny; Song of Fate): Cantata/ Oratorio, Orchestra Accompaniment, Full Score

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) completed SCHICKSALSLIED, Op. 54 (also SONG OF DESTINY; SONG OF FATE) in May of 1871, though he began the work in the summer of 1868. The inspiration came while Brahms was visiting his friend Albert Dietrich in Wilhelmshaven in 1868, where he came upon the novel HYPERION by Friedrich Hölderlin in Dietrich's library. Included in the book was the poem "Hyperions Schicksalslied," and Brahms was so taken by the work that he began sketching this choral work that very day while sitting by the sea. The nearly three-year delay was due to the composer's uncertainly in how to finish it. SCHICKSALSLIED is considered among the best of Brahm's major choral works, and the work premiered on October 18, 1871, in Karlsruhe by the Philharmonischen Vereins, Brahms conducting. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): SATB Chor. Reprint edition.